AP's explanation (and replacement) for deleted tweet about 'the French' is unintentionally hilarious

Doug P. | 10:30 AM on January 27, 2023

Yesterday we told you about the Associated Press Stylebook’s tweet on avoiding “dehumanizing ‘the’ labels.” The AP ended up deleting this:

We recommend avoiding general and often dehumanizing “the” labels such as the poor, the mentally ill, the French, the disabled, the college-educated. Instead, use wording such as people with mental illnesses. And use these descriptions only when clearly relevant.

The AP ended up getting rid of that tweet. Why? Here’s the explanation:

Lmfaoooo https://t.co/EhzZ2forsO pic.twitter.com/fIK4yycP8C

— Damin Toell (@damintoell) January 27, 2023

You can’t make this stuff up:

The use of “the French” in this tweet by @AP was inappropriate and has caused unintended offense. An updated tweet is upcoming.

— The Associated Press (@AP) January 27, 2023

The term “‘The’ media” can also be pretty offensive.

Shouldn't you just be "Associated Press" now, without the "The?"

— 🎙 Tommie Lee MNC (@heytommie) January 27, 2023

They deleted the tweet 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣💀https://t.co/qdc4PxkNkZ

— Natalie F Danelishen (@Chesschick01) January 27, 2023

"offense" would have been dignified. "all-out mockery", on the other hand, is totally humiliating. https://t.co/ul4HePXmjc

— Sour Patch Lyds 👎🏻🇺🇦 (@sourpatchlyds) January 27, 2023

Oh, and here’s the “updated” version:

We recommend avoiding general and often dehumanizing “the” labels such as the poor, the mentally ill, the disabled, the college-educated. Instead, use wording such as people with mental illnesses. And use these descriptions only when clearly relevant.

— The Associated Press (@AP) January 27, 2023